Funding for Individuals


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The Swiss National Science Foundation, the European Union and various foundations contribute to scientific careers by providing support for individual researchers. These grants are intended for researchers (beginners or advanced) wishing to conduct a project in Switzerland or abroad. Funds usually include living expenses, travel costs and finally a contribution to research and conference expenses. Please note that doctoral students are mainly financed indirectly through SNSF or European Union grants obtained by research group leaders (check PhD funding webpage).

GRANTS TO DO RESEARCH IN SWITZERLAND

SNSF – DOC.CH (SHS)

For students who wish to aim for a doctorate in the humanities and social sciences on a topic of their own choice. The grant comprises the grantee's own salary and covers further costs directly linked to the project. The applicant must hold a Swiss Master’s Degree (or similar degree) with excellent marks (researchers with a foreign degree are also entitled to submit an application if they have Swiss nationality). The funding lasts 2 to maximum 4 years (grant is in two parts: 2 years + 1-2 years).
Deadlines: 10 March and 10 September (every year) (two-steps selection process)
URL: http://www.unige.ch/recherche/commissions

SNSF - MARIE HEIM-VÖGTLIN (MHV) PROGRAMME, FOR WOMAN ONLY

For doctoral and postdoctoral candidates whose scientific career was delayed or interrupted due to family obligations (children) or a change of residence as a result of their partner’s career development. The host institution must give an assurance regarding the possibility of further employment after the expiring date of the grant. The funding covers the grantee’s salary, child care costs, research costs and congress expenses. The grant lasts a maximum of 2 years (in well-founded cases: a maximum one year extension).
Deadline: in August (every year) (two-steps selection process)
URL: http://www.snf.ch/E/funding/individuals/marie-heim-voegtlin-programme

SNSF – AMBIZIONE

For young researchers who would like to lead an independent research project. Candidates must have a doctorate and at least a 12 months postdoctoral experience in another university than the one where the doctorate was obtained. Application must be submitted not later than 5 years after the doctorate was awarded. The funding lasts a maximum of 3 years and covers the grantee's own salary, supportive staff, material of enduring value, consumable material, travel and conference expenses.
Deadline: 15 February (every year) (two-steps selection process)
URL: http://www.snf.ch/E/funding/individuals/ambizione
NEW : In the framework of SNSF promotion of young talent in energy research, the SNSF will launch a call in Autumn 2013 for Ambizione "Energy" grants (maximum of CHF 900,000 for three years, covering the salary of the researcher).

SNSF PROFESSORSHIP

For junior researchers who wish to build their own team to conduct an independent research project. The applicant must have 2 to 9 years of postdoctoral research experience including several years of research activities in other institutions than the one where the candidate obtained the doctorate (at least one year abroad). A Swiss university degree or at least 2 years of activity in a Swiss university is required. The funding lasts 4 years and may be extended up to 2 years. It covers the salary of the applicant (assistant professor level), a contribution to research costs (including collaborators) and a contribution to infrastructure costs.
NEW : Opportunities for researchers involved in energy research : in the framework of SNSF promotion of young talent in energy research, the SNSF plans to fund 10 new professorships per year from 2014 to 2016.  
Deadline: in May (every year) (two-steps selection process)
URL: http://www.snf.ch/E/funding/individuals/professorships

FP7 IDEAS - EUROPEAN RESEARCH COUNCIL (ERC)

The ERC supports basic, interdisciplinary and exploratory research, following a bottom-up investigator-driven approach: 1) ERC Starting Grants, 2) ERC Consolidator Grants, 3) ERC Advanced Investigator Grants, 4) ERC Synergy Grants and, 5) ERC Proof of Concept Grants (PoC). The objective of the ERC PoC Grants is to establish the innovation potential of ERC-funded ideas (technical validation, market research, IPR, etc.) within on-going projects for up to 1 year and 150,000 euros.
Deadlines: 21 February 2013 for ERC Consolidator Grants, 24 April and 3 October 2013 for ERC PoC Grants, awaiting all ERC schemes to re-open in 2014 (H2020).
URL: http://www.unige.ch/recherche/euresearch

FP7 PEOPLE - MARIE CURIE FELLOWSHIPS (INCOMING)

Marie Curie individual fellowships support the mobility of young researchers (PhD, post-doctoral). Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) and Incoming International Fellowships (IIF) cover full salaries and additional research costs over 2-3 years for researchers coming to Switzerland. For researchers who are offered a stable position in Switzerland, the Career Integration Grants (CIG) offer a flat-rate contribution to the salary, equipment and other costs over a period of 2 to 4 years.
Deadlines: 14 August 2013 (expected) (open 14 March 2013) for IEF and IIF, 7 March / 18 September 2013 (cut-off dates) for CIG, and more calls in 2014 (H2020)
URL: http://www.unige.ch/recherche/euresearch

SCIEX-NMSCH – FELLOWSHIPS FOR RESEARCHERS FROM NEW EU MEMBER STATES

The Scientific Exchange Programme between the New Member States of the EU and Switzerland 2009-2016 provides individual research fellowships to doctoral/post-doctoral candidates for a stay of 6-24 months in a Swiss university. The candidates must originate from one of the New EU-Member States: Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic and Hungary. The main applicant is the Swiss professor who will supervise the research in Switzerland. The fellowships cover a full salary and some other costs. Reciprocal short-term visits of the SCIEX home and host mentors are also eligible.
Deadlines: 1 April and 1 November 2013 (every year)(for different groups of New Member States).
URL: http://www.unige.ch/recherche/euresearch

SYSTEMSX.CH – DOCTORAL AND POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS IN SYSTEMS BIOLOGY

SystemsX.ch is a Swiss Initiative that aims at gathering scientific competences on a national level to establish Switzerland at the forefront of Systems Biology research. It finances 1) PhD positions for students pursuing research projects that integrate at least two disciplines relevant to Systems Biology (Interdisciplinary PhD Projects) for 4 years maximum 2) Transition Postdoc Fellowships for scientists who terminated their doctoral thesis not more than 5 years ago; the applicant formulates her/his own interdisciplinary research project as a principal investigator for 2 years, with the option of a third year. “Transitional” means that the candidate switches from his or her original discipline to a new, complementary field. The interdisciplinary research project must contain substantial quantitative and modeling/simulation parts.
Three calls are planned for each fellowship type: in 2013 (deadline 15 April), in 2014 and in 2015
URL: http://www.systemsx.ch

UNIGE – PROGRAMME «BOURSIÈRE D’EXCELLENCE», FOR WOMEN ONLY

In order to promote women in research, the rectorate each year offers two to three “Maître-assistante” positions on a competitive basis for advanced postdoctoral researchers. The duration of the position is maximum 3 years.
Deadline: 31 July (every year)
URL: http://www.unige.ch/egalite

AXA RESEARCH FUND – POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS

For post-doctoral researchers whose project will be in the area of risk, from environmental risks through life risks to socio-economic risks. The funding is 120,000 Euros for 2 years. This is a highly competitive scheme with a three-steps selection process. The first step in the selection is done by the faculty, the second step by the institution, and the third step by the AXA Research Fund. The AXA Research Fund limits the number of applications that can come from one institution (from 0 to 2 applications per call).
One call in 2013, deadline in February/March
URL: http://www.unige.ch/collaborateurs/recherche/financement/6/AXA.html

SWISS ACADEMIES OF ARTS AND SCIENCES - PROGRAMME «FOR WOMEN IN SCIENCE»

For postdoctoral women active in the fields of medicine, biology, chemistry or biomedical engineering. Every two years, one or two female postdocs will receive grants lasting 12 to 24 months, each grant amounting to CHF 80,000 per year.
Next deadline: 1 March 2013
URL: http://www.akademien-schweiz.ch/

FCS - POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FOREIGN SCHOLARS AND RESEARCHERS

The Swiss Government, through the Federal Commission for Foreign Students (FCS), awards postgraduate scholarships to foreign scholars and researchers. These scholarships provide graduates from all fields with the opportunity to pursue doctoral or postdoctoral research in Switzerland in a state funded university. The applicant must originate from an eligible country. Applicants should be residing in their home country at the time of submission. Applicants who have been in Switzerland for more than 1 year are not eligible. The maximum age is 35 years.
Deadline: The new offer for academic year 2014-2015 will be online at the end of July 2013 (contact: Swiss Embassy in the home country)
URL: http://www.sbfi.admin.ch/themen/01366/01380/01715/index.html?lang=en

ERNST AND LUCIE SCHMIDHEINY FOUNDATION – FELLOWSHIPS

The Ernst and Lucie Schmidheiny Foundation aims at contributing to the development of the University of Geneva. It therefore supports research activities conducted by graduate students (usually concluding a doctoral thesis). Funding opportunities include occasional fellowships.
Deadlines: 1 April and 1 October (every year)
URL: http://www.fondation-schmidheiny.ch

FOUNDATION "THE SIR JULES THORN CHARITABLE OVERSEAS TRUST REG., Schaan"

This foundation funds excellent biomedical research projects at the Faculty of Medicine (excluding cancer research) (amount is about CHF 150,000). Preference will be given to a young scientist who is developing a first independent research project. As a priority, the grant covers the applicant's salary, but the salary of academic or technical staff, consumables and equipement can be funded as well. The policy of the foundation is to fund specific research project and not complete existing subsidies. 2013 Submission Guidelines.
Deadline: 30 September 2013

ACADEMIC SOCIETY OF GENEVA - DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS

The Academic Society of Geneva is a private institution whose mission is to support the University of Geneva. Fellowships may exceptionally be granted to allow a doctoral candidate, who has brought together all the elements of his thesis, to finish writing it. The duration of the funding is from 6 months to one year.
Deadlines: 15 March, 15 May, 15 September and 15 December (for medicine, only 15 May and 15 December) (every year)
URL: http://societe.academique.unige.ch

SWISS ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN - FELLOWSHIPS

This association awards limited fellowships (maximum CHF 12,000) to women starting an academic career. The applicant must have completed a graduate university degree (at least a master's degree or a license) at time of application.
Deadline: 31 March (every year) No Fellowship in 2013
URL: http://www.unifemmes.ch/grant.goals.php



GRANTS TO DO RESEARCH ABROAD

SNSF - MOBILITY GRANTS IN SNSF FUNDED PROJECTS

Doctoral students employed in research projects funded by the SNSF (project funding, SNSF professorships, Ambizione etc.) can request a mobility grant for a stay abroad from 6 to 12 months during an ongoing project. The maximum grant per application is CHF 20,000 and covers travels and living expenses. The student’s salary continues to be paid based on the position financed by the SNSF within the research project.
Deadline: no later than three months before the start of the stay abroad.
URL: http://www.snf.ch/E/funding/projects/mobility-grants-in-projects

SNSF – DOC.MOBILITY

Fellowships for doctoral students lasting between 6 and 18 months. The candidate must have been a doctoral student for at least 12 months at the time of the submission deadline. Candidates who are not Swiss nationals must provide evidence of at least one year of activity in a research institution in Switzerland. This grant is awarded by the SNSF Research Commission at UNIGE.
Deadlines: 1 March and 1 September (every year)
URL: http://www.unige.ch/recherche/commissions

SNSF – EARLY POSTDOC.MOBILITY

Fellowships lasting 18 months for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers starting their careers. The candidate must apply up to 6 months before and up to 2 years after the doctoral exam (up to 6 years after the state examination for medical researchers). Candidates who are not Swiss nationals must provide evidence of at least 3 years of activity in a research institution in Switzerland. This grant is awarded by the SNSF Research Commission at UNIGE.
Deadlines: 1 March and 1 September (every year)
URL: http://www.unige.ch/recherche/commissions

SNSF – ADVANCED POSTDOC.MOBILITY

Fellowships for advanced postdoctoral researchers (not in the fields of experimental and clinical medicine or of biology as a basic medical science) lasting between 12 and 36 months. The candidate must have at least a one year research experience at the postdoctoral level and may apply up to 5 years after the doctoral exam (up to 9 years after the state examination for medical researchers). Candidates who are not Swiss nationals must provide evidence of at least 3 years of activity in a research institution in Switzerland.
Deadlines: 1 February and 1 August (every year)
URL: http://www.unige.ch/recherche/commissions

SFGBM – ADVANCED POSTDOC.MOBILITY IN EXPERIMENTAL AND CLINICAL MEDICINE

Fellowships for advanced postdoctoral researchers in the fields of experimental and clinical medicine and of biology as a basic medical science are awarded by the Swiss Foundation for Grants in Biology and Medicine (SFGBM) in collaboration with the SNSF and on the basis of SNSF fellowship regulations.
Deadlines: 1 March and 1 September (every year)
URL: http://www.samw.ch/en/Research/SSMBS.html

SNSF - INTERNATIONAL SHORT VISITS

For researchers working in Switzerland to go abroad for a short stay (one week to 3 months) to initiate or consolidate international collaborations. The visiting researcher must hold a doctorate. The funding consists of lump sums contributing to the visiting fellow’s travel (one round trip) and living expenses.
Deadline: at least two months before the grant is due to start
URL: http://www.snf.ch/E/funding/individuals/international-short-visits

FP7 PEOPLE - MARIE CURIE FELLOWSHIPS (OUTGOING)

Marie Curie individual fellowships support the mobility of young researchers (PhD, post-doctoral), including the Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) and International Outgoing Fellowships (IOF) for researchers based in Switzerland willing to go abroad. In the case of the IOFs, a return-phase is included. The approach is researcher-driven and bottom-up. The fellowships cover full salaries and additional mobility or research-related costs over 2 to 3 years. The Marie Curie fellowships are open to all research topics ranging from medical or natural sciences to law and the humanities.
Deadline: 14 August 2013 (expected) (open 14 March 2013) for IEF and IOF, more calls expected in 2014 (H2020).
URL: http://www.unige.ch/recherche/euresearch

CRUS - GRANTS (RECTORS' CONFERENCE OF SWISS UNIVERSITIES)

On behalf of the Confederation, the Rectors' Conference of Swiss Universities (CRUS) manages government grants from some 40 countries open to Swiss students or researchers for a research stay abroad.
Deadlines and information: CRUS website
URL: http://www.crus.ch/information-programmes/bourses-pour-les-etudes-a-letranger.html

ERNEST BONINCHI FOUNDATION – MOBILITY FELLOWSHIPS

In order to encourage the mobility of students from the University of Geneva, the Ernest Boninchi Foundation invites applications for several fellowships financing a research stay abroad. These fellowships are intended for doctoral students of Swiss nationality who retain their position at the University of Geneva to complete their doctorate upon return and, who would have been unable to complete their project without financial support.
Deadlines: 15 January, 15 March and 30 June (every year)
URL: http://www.unige.ch/rectorat/pbs (database File #291).

ZDENEK AND MICHAELA BAKALA FOUNDATION - SCHOLARSHIPS

The Fondation Zdenek et Michaela Bakala Geneva grants Scholarships to talented doctoral and postdoctoral candidates for a research stay at top-ranked universities in the United-States, the United-Kingdom or Europe such as Cambridge, Harvard, Oxford, Stanford, Yale, etc. (this enumeration not being limitative or exhaustive). The funding covers the foreign universities tuition fees and/or living expenses.
Deadline: 15 January (every year)
URL: http://www.fondation-zmb.ch



INFORMATION ABOUT OTHER GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS

UNIGE – “PRIX, BOURSES ET SUBSIDES” DATABASE

The University administers a number of permanent funds used to award prizes or fellowships, or to pay various subsidies. By using the search engine of the database it is possible to retrieve fellowship opportunities.
URL: http://www.unige.ch/rectorat/pbs

UNIGE - INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS OFFICE

The International Relations Office supports international mobility in the framework of the joint doctoral degrees programme and, of the mobility and exchange programmes. Scholarship opportunities to secure a research period at the University of Geneva, in another university in Switzerland or abroad can be found at this office.
URL: http://www.unige.ch/international

EURAXESS – JOBS AND FELLOWSHIPS

The European Commission’s Euraxess network and web portal provides researchers with constantly updated information on European fellowship and job opportunities, including job offers issued by running Marie Curie Networks.
URL: http://www.unige.ch/recherche/euresearch

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